Before entering the European Council of Ministers of Agriculture, the Spanish minister Luis Planas, recognized this Tuesday in reference to the possible European co-financing of the measures against drought that “the European Commission is slow in its disposal and that a request like this will not be raises in 24 hours”. We want a prompt decision. This is what Spain is asking for”. Well, the European Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski, declared after listening to the requests made by the entente formed by Portugal, Spain and Italy with the vital support of France, that Brussels proposed the mobilization of the 25 The remaining 0 million euros remain in the so-called agricultural crisis reserve’ of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
Specifically, the commissioner declared before the Ministers of Agriculture of the Twenty-seven that this money “will be distributed among the countries most affected by the drought and floods.” A direct reference to the dramatic events in the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna, whose floods forced the evacuation of 13,000 people a few days ago. This was the main request raised by Spaniards, Portuguese and Italians who have also put on the table the ‘flexibility’ of some of the provisions of the CAP such as advance payments of direct payments to receive “at least 70%”, as well as smooth out the conditionality of eco-regimes and associated aid. In addition to making the vine planting authorization program more flexible, among other proposals.
